Coal-chute



(N0 Model.)

H. CLAUSSEN & T. STMEIBER.y GOAL CHUTE.

N0.N280,133. Patented Junev 26, 1883.

RS, Photo-mhagnphnr. waahingmn. D4 C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEJ `HENRY CLAUSSEN AND THEODOR STAEBER, OFELL'INVVOOD, KANSAS.

COAL-CHUTE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 280,133, dated June 26,1883.

' Application filed February 10, 1883. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, HENRY CLAUssEN and THEODOR STAEBER, of Ellinwood,in the county of Barton and State of Kansas, have invented Y certain newand useful Improvements in Coal- Ghutes; and we do hereby declare thatthe following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention,which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains tomake and use the same,'reference being had to kthe accompanyingdrawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a partof this specification.

Figure l is a side view of the device, showing the position of the partswhen open. Fig. 2 is a front View, showing the gate and its attachments.Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail section, showing the method of holding andreleasing the gate. Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the balancing apron.

This invention relates to chutes for discharge of coal, &c.

The invention consists in the construction hereinafter pointed out. l

In the annexed drawings, the letter A indicates a chute-frame ofordinary construction, having the incline or way B. The tops of thefront posts, c, of the frame are a little below and just in front of thelower edge, b, of the bottom b of the incline B, and are provided withbearings a. Vorking in these bearings a. are the journals c of a bar orshaft, C, which is secured to the bottom of a balancing apron, D, aboutone-third of its length from one end. The main portion d of this apronis made trough-like, its sides turning up, and these sides extend backof the bar C far enough to inclose the sides b2 of the chute. Back fromthis trough d extends the bottom of the apron, forming a lip, d2. Theportion of the apron back of its axis will ordinarily be made heavier yin proportion thanthat portion in front; but

to insure an equipoise two threaded rods, E, are attached to the bottomof the upper portion, and provided with weights e, which can be adjustedto any points on said rods. This apron can be swung on its axis andturned up out of the way, as indicated, when notin use, or swung downwhen the chute is to be discharged. In this latter position the upperportion turns under the chute, so that the coal or other substance fallssurely into the apron. Within the chute, a little distance back from itsmouth, a

gate, F, is hung by its pivots f f to the top of from contact with theboltf by the tension of 6o the spring.

Secured to the outer face of the gate F are two catches, H H, the innerends, hh, of which are the heavier, and to which are attached a branchedcord, I, which passes over a pulley, and may be attached, forconvenience, to the apron D, such cord being so long that the movementsof the apron do not give any pull or affect the action of the latches.

For use the chute is iilled with coal or other substance, with the gateF in a vertical position, and the apron, previouslybalanced by adjustingthe weights, swung up. When it is designed to use the chute, the apronis swung down, as indicated in Fig. 1, the lip d2 striking the spring Gand forcing the head g against the bolt f', which drives the latter outof the hole as, and allows the weight of the coal to swing the gate Foutward. As the catches H H pass beyond the edge ofthe chute theweighted inner ends, 7a, drop, and the outer ends, catching against theedge of the chute, hold the gate, as shown in Figs. l and 2, and ,allowfree passage for the coal until all runs out.

To close the device it is only necessary to swing the apron up and pullon the cord I, when the catches are disengaged from the edge of thechute and the gate drops back into place, the bolt f again engaging thehole a3. The chute can then be filled and is ready again for use.

. This device is useful and valuable in all places where it is desiredto quickly dump coal, Sto., especially on a railroad. When it iireman orengineer to reach up and give it a slight push and it will drop.

Having described the invention, what is claimed is-`- 1; In adischarge-chuta'the balanced apron l D, consisting of the trough d andlip d2, in

combina-tion with springv G, having head g, and the swinging gate F,having the bolt f, substantially as set forth.

2. The gate F, having the catches H H, pro- In testimony that We Claimthe foregoing as our own We have hereunto afixed our signatures inpresence of two Witnesses.

HENRY CLAUSSEN. THEODOR STAEBER.

AWitnessey DANIEL EARL HOGBIN, JAMES M. STUART.

